An Extraordinary Night
It is truly hard to believe that in just two days we will celebrate Christmas, and for those who believe, the birth of our Savior. This year was going at a snail’s pace for so long and yet, here we are, nearing the end of this unforgettable year.
I have had the awesome honor and privilege to lead an online Advent devotional discussion group the last three weeks with some women from my church. The staff at First Baptist wrote a beautiful devotional this year and I was so excited about an Advent study that it became my delight to lead it!
As I was reading back over the last seven days this morning, and putting some notes together for the discussion time for today, I was reminded of something from the writing on December 17th by KJ Mack.
The world wants everything to be bigger, more, brighter, more glittery, more super-sized. Better than it should be.
And who determines what should be?
One of the points of that particular day’s devotional stated, “we would be unimpressed with the details of Jesus’ birth: a government census, two people travelling to a small town to be registered and a less than ideal birth situation that culminates with a baby lying in a feeding trough.”
It was ordinary. Not big or flashy – though the choir of the Heavenly Hosts singing Hallelujah must have been something spectacular to the shepherds who were afraid.
Was Jesus’ birth just as it should have been, or better? Ordinary or Extraordinary?
Had he been a king, as the world thinks of a king, with pomp and circumstance and trumpets and banners, would we have been as much in awe with the Lord as we are with how His story actually unfolded?
Would we still ponder what it would have been like for Mary, to behold the fresh baby face of the Savior of the world – a girl as ‘common’ as you or me?
An ordinary night that somehow became extraordinary.
Consider it for a moment…
This week, as we have also been able to witness the ‘Christmas Star’, has allowed me time to reflect on what things would have been like for the Wise Men as well – these men who were learned in many subjects including astronomy and theology, knew that the star they saw was indeed not ordinary. And unlike our Christmas Star, I think the one they followed would have lasted many nights and shone brighter than any star ever had.
God is a God of wonder and majesty. He does things that often do not make sense to us, but make perfect sense to Him and His plan. He also does things that are beyond our comprehension – we cannot replicate. A star, a common girl, a feeding trough – all for the One who would come be our Rescuer.
Friend, if you haven’t yet found yourself in need of a Rescuer, especially this year, I pray that you will see your need. Jesus is the Light of the World and He was given for you and for me. He is the freest and most extraordinary gift you could ever receive.
Merry Christmas.
